University of Chicago event boosts youth voting at DNC

CHICAGO (CBS) – The University of Chicago's Institute of Politics hosted its Youth Vote Fest, attracting hundreds of Gen Z students to the Near West Side, just blocks from the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. The event, featuring music from Charlie XCX's "Brat" album, aimed to engage young voters, with attendees representing 180 colleges and universities. Among them, Nia Belssing Armstrong from the University of Illinois Chicago expressed excitement about the potential for a first Black woman president. This second Vote Fest, following a similar event in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, focused on voter education and mobilization. Organizers emphasized the importance of the youth vote, with graduate student Emily Morgan highlighting the need for young people to show up at the polls collectively. The initiative aims to transform students into advocates for increased voter turnout, encouraging them to share their experiences and knowledge with peers back home. Attendees like Anna Cecilia Fierro from Cornell University are already taking action, having secured a $20,000 grant to boost voter participation in her predominantly Hispanic hometown of Santa Ana, California. The event's nonpartisan nature attracted a diverse group of students, including Democrats, Republicans, and independents, all united in their goal to elevate the youth vote as a significant political force. Organizers hope that by empowering these young voters, they will become "evangelists" for civic engagement, ultimately increasing turnout rates in upcoming elections.